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What is cancer?
Cancer
occurs as a result of changes in the chromosomes
(DNA) of cells causing them to reproduce abnormally.
These damaged cells continue to grow and multiply,
resulting in tumors. Some tumors are benign, or
non-cancerous while others are malignant or
cancerous. Only a biopsy, or examination of a small
piece of the tumor, can confirm the diagnosis of
cancer.
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What
causes cancer?
Cancer
can be caused by anything that damages the DNA in a
cell. This includes certain chemicals, ionizing
radiation, or some types of viruses. Naturally
occurring mutations in the cell's chromosomes or
aging of the cell may also lead to the development
of a cancer. The process by which cancers may
develop in a particular individual is not fully
understood and appears to be quite complicated.
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Is there more than one type of
cancer?
There
are literally hundreds of different types of
cancers, and a cancer may occur in almost any organ
or area of the body. These cancers all have
different responses to the various types of
treatments currently available. Your oncologists
utilize their knowledge and years of experience to
design a treatment plan that will most effectively
utilize these therapies in order to treat a
particular cancer.
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What
types of cancer treatment are currently available?
The
three main treatment modalities are surgery,
chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Frequently, a
combination of two or three treatment modalities is
utilized to achieve maximum benefit for the patient.
Every treatment modality has certain risks and
benefits that should be considered before starting
treatment. Consultation with a board certified
oncologist in each specialty is highly recommended
before deciding upon a particular course of therapy.
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What is
radiation therapy?
Radiation Therapy (also known as Radiation Oncology)
is a method of treating cancer utilizing very high
energy x-ray or electron beams. These beams of
energy are aimed at the tumor site and can penetrate
deeply into the body to destroy the cancer cells or
can treat cancers on the surface of the skin.
Radiation therapy has been used successfully for
treating cancer for over 100 years! In simple terms,
cancer cells are killed when they absorb a given
amount of ionizing radiation. Because cancer cells
are active and rapidly dividing, they are
particularly susceptible to the effects of
radiation. By delivering a calculated amount of
radiation over a specific amount of time, the
malignant cells are destroyed. Healthy tissue that
is irradiated has the ability to repair itself,
whereas the cancer cells cannot.
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Will my
hair fall out?
Radiation affects only the area receiving treatment.
If the scalp is in the treated field, then hair loss
may occur. This hair loss may be temporary or
permanent depending upon the total dose received by
the patient. Hair loss will not occur if the scalp
is outside the area receiving treatment.
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Will I
become radioactive?
Patients
do not become radioactive by being exposed to
radiation from the treatment machines (linear
accelerators) or the simulator. If a procedure calls
for placing radioactive materials into the body (an
implant) then the patient will be "radioactive" only
for the time the radioactive material is in their
body. As soon as it is removed, the patient's body
ceases to be radioactive.
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What are
the side effects of radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy will cause side effects only to
those areas directly in the path of the beam or
located in the treatment field. These side effects
are specific to the area of the body being treated
and may vary greatly from person to person. The side
effects a person may experience will also vary
depending upon the dose received and the size of the
field being treated.
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Can my
family watch the treatments?
Governmental regulations prohibit anyone who is not
a patient or who has not been issued a film badge to
be in a radiation control area while radiation
equipment is being operated. No one under 18 years
of age is allowed to be in a radiation control area
unless they are being treated. Additionally, in
order to protect the privacy of all of our patients,
we only allow patients and staff in the treatment
area during treatment hours.
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Why
does everyone leave the room during my treatments?
This
also is a governmental regulation. We also observe
the policy that staff should receive the least
amount of exposure to radiation as possible in the
performance of their duties.
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Can I continue my regular routine
or activities while undergoing radiation treatments?
Most of
our patients continue with their occupations or
leisure activities during radiation therapy. We do
advise patients to avoid exposing treated skin areas
to sunlight and to refrain from using potentially
irritating chemicals on the irradiated skin sites.
For example, do not use an underarm deodorant if we
are treating the area around your shoulder or
armpit. In general, you can do whatever you feel you
are capable of doing.
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How
long do the treatments take?
The
actual time it takes to deliver the dose of
radiation is very short, usually less than a minute.
However, it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to
correctly position a patient for their daily
treatment. Once the treatment routine has
established for a patient, they are usually treated
and on their way again in about 15 minutes. The
treatment planning process (simulation) and the very
first treatment involve more activities and
therefore require more time. Patients should allow
at least an hour for the treatment planning process
(simulation) and 30 minutes for their first
treatment.
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How
many treatments will I receive?
Most
patients come for treatment five days a week for a
period of two to eight weeks.
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Will I
feel the radiation or will the treatment be painful?
No; the
treatments are completely painless. The radiation is
not detectable by touch, taste, sight, sound or
smell. All that is required of the patient is that
they hold very still while the treatment is being
given.
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Where
can I find more answers to my questions?
Please
feel free to e-mail or call our staff at the
Community Cancer Center. You will find individual
e-mail addresses under the pictures of our staff on
this web site or you may call our toll free number
listed on the Home page. We have also provided links
to other cancer related web sites that may be
helpful to you.
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How
often will I see my doctor while I am having
radiation treatments?
You will see the doctor
each week while you are under treatment. Your doctor
will want to know how you are feeling and will
answer any questions you may have. Of course,
anytime you have a question regarding your
treatments or you wish to see the doctor, we
encourage you to notify either the radiation
therapist or nurse who will make arrangements for
you to been seen.
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Why are
x-ray films taken periodically during the course of
my treatment...what do they show?
These films are taken as
part of our quality assurance program to make sure
we are treating the areas we are targeting. The
films do not show how the tumor may be responding to
treatment.
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